Alternate Ceremony sites to Sapphire Point Overlook

Hundreds of couples received alarming news last Thursday regarding the closure of Sapphire Point Overlook, a well-known and popular ceremony site for small intimate weddings and elopements.  Though the message indicated that the area may re-open, it is unsettling when planning a wedding.  Since we help many couples plan their weddings at Sapphire Point,  I took off on Saturday to find equally as beautiful ceremony locations in Summit County to use as “Plan B”.  There are other (comparable to a large wedding) affordable places you can officially book a wedding:

• Frisco Marina Park 
• Breckenridge Historical Society
• Frisco Historical Park - the pavilion or historical chapel
• Town of Dillon - Marina Park Pavilion
• Carter Park through the town of Breckenridge
• The Lodge at Breckenridge - deck with views
• Keystone’s Keytop Deck - starts at $2,000+ for a ceremony fee
• Go rogue on top of Vail Pass (Shrine Mountain Road)

In light of Covid19, we wanted to find more private, “rogue” spots on public lands that are beautiful, open, and outdoorsy so as to respect and maintain physical distancing policies. 

Disclaimer:  my 8-year-old son was the videographer and all the images are from my iPhone.  A  professional photographer would have done a much better job.  But still, the views are pretty darn amazing!  Disclaimer #2:  I am unsure of permitting at any of these sites and need to research - some may require no permit if under #75 people (of course our weddings are MUCH smaller), others may require a photography and/or special events permit.  If anyone knows, please comment!

Finally, if you are planning a wedding as Sapphire Point, I would recommend holding on to the reservation in case it does open.  The email states:  "If the location remains closed at the start of your reservation, and your reservation falls entirely within the closure period, we will cancel your reservation and provide a full refund.”  So, are you reading this the way I am?  No harm if you keep the reservation. But, work with your planner to establish a “Plan B”.  Here are some of those ideas and sites we scoped out: 

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Loveland Pass Lake

This is a high-alpine lake easily accessible off Loveland Pass Highway. These photos are in late May, so unless you want snow and possible muddy spots, I recommend ceremonies here mid-to-late June through September.  If we have a warm fall, October would be great too!  There is about a 200-yard lane from the main highway to a parking area where there are also picnic benches.  No hike is needed, but bring your comfy shoes to explore the area for various photo opportunities.  This is a “rogue” ceremony location, meaning that there is no official site - just pic a pretty area, stand around and exchange vows.  Though there may be others enjoying the lake, it is a much less crowded spot than the top of the pass which is just about 1/2 mile up from the turn-off to Loveland Lake.  There are actually three pond accessible via a very short hike, so again - bring those comfy shoes to explore.  Also, with our package, we do send a fur with the photographer in case the high-alpine air gets a little chilly. 

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Tenderfoot-Oro Grande Trail

This is an easily accessibly trail from the town of Dillon that overlooks Lake Dillon (and the town).  It is a wide trail, and if you are up for hiking about 5 to 10 minutes, there is an flat open are in which you can stand around for a “rogue” ceremony (it is the blue-colored “u” on the AllTrails map).  The pros are the it is close to town with some of the views that Sapphire Point is known.   If you are lodging near Keystone or Dillon, the is very close.  Plus, there are some restaurants very closely for celebrating:  Pug Ryan in Dillon, The Dillon Dam Brewery, and Sauce on the Blue are a few.  Its also got a tree-lined hike with pines and also an aspen grove, which would be gorgeous for fall photos! The cons are that it is heavily trafficked (but that flat area helps to pull-off from the trail) and parking can be full.  Though, if you have a later afternoon or early evening ceremony, most folks will be heading off the trail.  

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Officer’s Gulch, Frisco 

Officer’s Gulch is very easily accessible and located between Frisco and Copper Mountain right off Interstate-70, with plenty of parking.  It is popular for fishing and we saw one paddle boarder on the lake (though it was only May!).  The 1.1 mile trail around the lake is easy, though you can have a ceremony near the beginning and on the shores if your group doesn’t want to do the hike.  The views are pictures and the water is clear!  If you have a ceremony with guests near the entrance, schedule some time with the photographer post ceremony for a little stroll 1/2 way around the lake (prep for a few muddy areas, but those can be circumvented.  It only took us 5 to 10 minutes to get to our lunch spot where we shot the video.   The pros are the accessibility and the scenery.  The cons are other users of the space (though they all kept to themselves) and noise from the I-70 traffic.  If you decide to do a wedding there in the peak of the summer, bring bug spray! 

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Rounds Park, Breckenridge

Rounds Park is a locals secret!  It is an unmarked spot near the Breckenridge Golf Course.  There is a little bit of parking, so we encourage carpooling.  Though it is a public spot, other users of the area are friendly and polite - and, if they see a white dress will likely offer congratulations and keep their distance.  There are a couple of flat lawn-like areas for a ceremony, and a dock that goes out onto a pond (though, its a little rickety so I wouldn’t put too many people on it).  There are views, yet because it is in a neighborhood, you’ll see some luxury homes in the background.  If you were planning wedding at Sapphire Point, this is a GREAT “Plan B” option as it is located between Breckenridge and Sapphire Point.  You can still keep most all your plans and logistics the same.  

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Blue Lakes Trail, Breckenridge

Blue Lakes Trial is an area south of Breckenridge, on the way up Hosier Pass.  After turning off the highway, you’ll drive about 2 miles on a gravel road.  A regular vehicle can make it, though it can get slightly bumpy.  There are two parking areas.  Once you arrive, there are 360-degree views of mountains at the base of Blue Lakes.  Waterfalls are in the lower area, though in May were not accessible due to some snow pack.  In a month, Blue Lakes will be stunning.  And though you can get to it now, I would recommend a fur as the air can get chilly (during any time of year)!   From the parking area, there is a slight 2-minute downhill walk to the lake shores.  Alternately, you can walk on the upper level service road (closed to the public) for a ceremony.  I recommend adding 1-hour to your overall wedding day logistics to allow for ample drive time to/from the site.  Bring comfortable walking shoes to maneuver rocky shores/trail.  You can always switch them out during the ceremeony!   

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Other locations I scoped out, but didn’t like

Hosier Pass:  we drove a little bit passed the Blue Lakes road up to Hosier Pass.  It was snow packed and we were tired from a day of scouting.  So, we are reserving this for another day.  I’m still open to it, but for now and in May, I don’t recommend it.  Next month, I’ll head up there are hike the small look trail.  So, this site may be good for the hiking couple who wants to DIY their own ceremony with a photographer.  We can alway bring a cake to the trailhead to serve up some yummies and celebrate!

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Montgomery Reservoir:  this came recommended by a Colorado photographer (not one of ours).   Though it looks fantastic on the map, I thought that having a ceremony here would be really difficult.  There isn’t really great spots for parking (just off the side of the road).  And, the road around the lake can get slim.  The water level was pretty low, so the shores were kind-of ugly (again we went in May).  There were plenty of people fishing in the area, and camping at the base below the dam.  The only spot that I could see for a ceremony would be along side the road on top of the rock - that is, without hiking down to the lake which would have been a trek!